Survey out: Sri Lankans are Divided on the death penalty.

A majority of Sri Lankans back the death penalty, but as a nation, Sri Lankans are divided on the issue.

The Lanka Post latest survey shows that Sri Lankans are much more skeptical of the death penalty in Sri Lanka than government leaders. While (41.2%) oppose the death penalty, nearly (43%) support it. Interestingly, the majority of Sinhalese and Tamils Support the death penalty, and a majority of Muslims disapprove the death penalty.

While women are equally divided on the issue, men were overwhelming support the death penalty.

Even though government leaders urge, illegal drugs as the main reason to reinstate the death penalty, the public has chosen other crimes over illicit drugs for the purpose to pursue the death penalty. Mass murder got highest votes (226), followed by the Terrorism (191), Rape (169), Drugs (136) and Murder (118).

Our survey also finds that a majority of Sri Lankans overwhelmingly support the idea of inmate’s right to appeal against the death penalty by a wide margin (76.6%).

While the majority of Sri Lankans choose lethal injection as a most reasonable method for the death penalty (16.7%), death by hanging has fallen to 4th place with (11.9%) support. However, among all choices, life in prison without parole has strong support over the death penalty (20.1%).

Finally, our survey finds that Sri Lankans are equally skeptical about the question of whether executions discourage criminals from violent acts. While 44.5% Sri Lankans believe it will deter the crime, 42.5% Sri Lankans did not;